Sunday, March 22, 2009

A mailbox assemblage greets you at the beginning of Arnold Edmondson's long driveway, and as you make your way up toward the house, various sculptures of found materials and appliances are scattered about the 9.5 acres Edmondson bought three years ago after moving from James Island with his wife, Carmen, and their three children. He cleared the land, created the catfish pond, and has been working on all the trees to make the once scraggly oaks grand. The trailer at the end of the driveway where the Edmonson family lives has been transformed, inside and out, into a mixed-media creation. Edmondson used the exterior of the trailer as a canvas on which to paint his signature faces and eyes, and the interior is full of his paintings and sculptures. In the back, two tractor trailers sit — containing years of Edmondson's art work that wouldn't fit in his home. The property itself is Arnold's art. He has burst through the confines of the canvas and now has 9.5 acres of material with which to work — which seems about right for his energy and creativity. Want another reason to go to Ravenel? Edmondson is hosting the First Annual Vernal Equinox hog roast, art-storytelling-music-catch-your-own-fish fry party at his house March 23, starting at 2 p.m. —KR